I am a fiber artist and designer who seeks new and challenging experiences in the creation of clothing, both new and historical reproduction clothes. My experience includes 25 years of custom tailoring of a wide variety of fabrics, including handwoven textiles, antique laces and linens. I developed a sewing pattern for an 1830's day dress and authentic undergarments, working in conjunction with Saundra Ros Altman (Past Patterns, Inc.) for the Hermitage, the Victorian Landmark Museum in Hohokus, NJ. I enjoy working with bridal parties designing and creating timeless and fashionable garments from antique and modern textiles. I also construct one of a kind wearable art pieces in collaboration with other artists.
I am an organized and efficient teacher, workshop leader and lecturer in the areas of sewing and the creation of tie-dyed and shibori-dyed fabrics and clothing. Since 1987, I have been teaching sewing to adults in the Midland Park Continuing Education program.
| 2009 | - | 'Woodstock Now and Then', History channel documentary, tie-dye banners for Paul Green School of Rock performances |
| - | 'Victorian Afternoon Tea', Historic Lambert Castle, Passaic County Historical Society, creation & restoration Victorian reproduction costumes | |
| 2008 | - | 'Wearable Art - Mechanical Marvels', Anchorage AK, collaboration with JoEllen Traylor |
| - | 'One Touch of Venus', Ramapo College, Mahwah NJ, built costumes | |
| 2007 | - | Craft Shows, Ridgewood, Glen Rock NJ, line of tie-dye wearable art pieces |
| - | 'The Beauty of Sacred Garments', The Walsh Gallery, Seton Hall University, Exhibit Consultant | |
| - | 'Some Sweet Day', Ramapo College, Mahwah NJ, built costumes | |
| 2006 | - | 'Arms and The Man', Ramapo College, Mahwah NJ, built costumes |
| 2005 | - | 'Nai Ni Chen', NJ Performng Arts Center, Newark NJ, built dance costumes |
| 2004 | - | 'The Merchant and Drovers Tavern', Rahway NJ, created vintage 1805 costumes |
| 1999 | - | 'Looking Forward - Looking Back' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show |
| - | 'Dressing for Victorian Day', Hudson River Museum, Yonkers NY, created Victorian reproduction dresses and petticoats | |
| - | 'Dolls around the World' Paterson Museum, Paterson, NJ | |
| 1998 | - | 'Fiber Fantasies Technical Realities' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show |
| 1997 | - | 'Wearable Art Exhibition' Ossining Arts Council, Ossining, NY |
| 1996 | - | 'Taste of Suffern and Period Fashion Show' Suffern Community center, Suffern, NY |
| - | 'Silk Etcetera' Paterson Museum, Paterson, NJ | |
| 1995 | - | 'Colors of the Universe' Mid- Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show and Juried show |
| - | 'Wearable Art Fashion show' Palisades Guild of Spinners and Weavers, Saddle River, NJ | |
| 1994 | - | 'Historic Fashion Show' The Hermitage Museum, Hohokus, NJ |
| 1993 | - | 'The Gathering 1993' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show |
| - | Juried Show 2nd place, Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association | |
| - | 'Folkwear Patterns Fashion Show' Palisades Guild of Spinners and Weavers, Saddle River, NJ | |
| 1991 | - | 'The Gathering 1991' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show and Juried show |
| - | 'Readers Showcase' page 80, Threads magazine | |
| 1989 | - | 'The Gathering 1989' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show and Juried show |
| - | 'Another Trip to New York' The Design lab at F.I.T. | |
| 1988 | - | 'Another Trip to NYC' Pellon Interfacing company |
| - | 'Another Trip to New York City' The Vogue/Butterick Pattern company | |
| 1987 | - | 'Trip to New York City' The Design lab at F.I.T. and the Studio, NYC |
| - | 'The Magical Fashion Show! Folkwear Patterns' Run of the Mill, Midland Park, NJ | |
| - | 'Parade of Wearables' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association Fashion show | |
| 1986 | - | 'Historic Reproduction 1830's dress and undergarments' The Hermitage Museum, Hohokus, NJ |
| 1985 | - | 'Fashion Show 1985' Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association |
| 1983 | - | 'Annual Fashion Show' Woman's Club of Waldwick, NJ |
1981 - current: Karen's Kreations: Custom Wearable-Art Clothing, Private and Group Sewing lessons, Tie-dye Artist
1987 - current: Instructor, Beginning and Advanced Sewing Techniques, Midland Park Continuing Education, NJ
1998 - current: Instructor, Arts Workshop, Newark Museum, NJ
2002 - current: Co-design, create patterns and sew clothing line for Cynthia Norton Designs, designer
2009 - Create line of handpainted wearable art silks for Beadwildered Woman, Nyack NY
2007 - Workshop with Shibori artist Carter Smith, Nahant MA
2005 - Workshop with tie-dye expert Michael Fowler, 'Sacred Geometry', Somerset MA
1995/01 - Sew clothing line for Beryl Maddelena, designer
1984/92 - Sew clothing line for Anne Winston Brown, designer and hand weaver
1981/85 - Sew vintage clothing reproductions, Portmanteau, Montvale NJ
I have studied with many fine, experienced teachers in the fields of Patternmaking, Draping, Tailoring, Couture History, Fashion Business, Fashion sketching, Color and Design, Shibori, Natural and Chemical Dyeing, Discharge, Batik, Silk Painting, Spinning, Weaving, Basketry, Bobbin Lacemaking, Knitting & Crocheting, and Felting at the following schools:
Parsons School of Design, NY
Fashion Institute of Technology, NY
Berkeley College, Waldwick
Newark Museum Arts Workshop
Peters Valley Craft Education Center, Layton
Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association, PA
Palisades Guild of Spinners and Weavers, 1994 - current
Costume and Textile Group of NJ, 1994
Costume Society of America, 1990